Qatar’s PM has demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Syria buffer zone, criticizing their military occupation as reckless. Sheikh Mohammed pledged support for Syria’s infrastructure restoration while advocating for the lifting of sanctions. The situation remains complex with regional military engagements and humanitarian crises requiring urgent attention and international coordination.
Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, has called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from the UN-designated buffer zone with Syria. This demand follows Israel’s military incursion into the area after the removal of Syria’s long-time leader, Bashar al-Assad. During a press conference in Damascus alongside Syrian authority Ahmed al-Sharaa, Sheikh Mohammed admonished Israel for its occupation of the region near the Golan Heights, which is part of a 1974 ceasefire agreement.
He expressed that the Israeli occupation of the buffer zone represents a reckless action that necessitates immediate withdrawal. The Israeli military had deployed forces to this demilitarized zone last month after opposition fighters gained control over Assad’s regime. As part of this military strategy, Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes across Syria, aimed at countering extremist groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Additionally, al-Sharaa stated that Syria is prepared to accept UN forces into the buffer zone. He attributed Israel’s advancements to the presence of Iranian militias and Hezbollah, claiming their influence has waned since the liberation of Damascus. Sheikh Mohammed pledged to assist the new Syrian administration in rehabilitating the country’s infrastructure, which has suffered significantly over nearly 14 years of conflict. He expressed Qatar’s commitment to provide technical and operational support for essential services including electricity.
Furthermore, he urged for the lifting of sanctions on Syria, arguing that these measures impede necessary aid to the Syrian populace. The US and European Union have imposed sanctions on the Assad regime for alleged wartime abuses, although recent US initiatives have aimed to permit some transactions to support basic human needs. In addition, the EU plans to convene at the end of January to deliberate on the potential lifting of sanctions against Syria.
The current geopolitical landscape surrounding Syria has been complicated by Israel’s military actions and the ongoing conflict that has ravaged the country for over a decade. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, regional stability has become precarious, with various factions vying for control. Qatar, traditionally a diplomatic player in the Middle East, has now taken a stand against Israeli military presence in the region. Amidst these tensions, infrastructure rehabilitation and aid to the Syrian people remain critical issues, calling for international cooperation and a reassessment of sanctions imposed on the Assad government.
In summary, Sheikh Mohammed of Qatar has firmly called for Israeli forces to withdraw from the Syria buffer zone, criticizing their actions as reckless, while reaffirming Qatar’s commitment to aid in Syria’s rehabilitation efforts. He underscored the need for international cooperation to uplift sanctions that hinder humanitarian support. At the same time, Syria is exploring the reinstatement of UN forces to stabilize the region, highlighting the intertwined fates of regional political dynamics and humanitarian needs.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
